How Do Bed Bugs Travel So Far?

Sometimes, bed bug infestations seem to appear out of nowhere. Even neat freaks are susceptible to bed bug problems—no amount of cleaning done inside the home can prevent you from encountering bed bugs when you head out for the day. They can sneak into your bag unknowingly or hide in clothes and furniture that you purchase. Many people wake up to a bed bug outbreak and think to themselves, how did they get in here?

How Do Bed Bugs Travel So Well?

One secret to bed bugs’ success is their tiny stature. They usually range from 1/8” to 1/4” in length, making them excellent hiders. Bed bugs love to hide in these places:

• Furniture: As we all know, bed bugs are commonly found living in mattresses. However, they will not shy away from couches, chairs, rugs, carpets, and anywhere else with fabrics suitable for hiding in.
• Luggage: When you go on vacation or stay somewhere new, make sure that there are no bed bugs in your resting place. Many people find that bed bugs latch onto their luggage after staying in a hotel.
• Clothing: Second-hand clothing stores are the perfect places for bed bugs to spread. If you purchase any clothing or furniture from a thrift store, inspect it for bed bugs before you take it home.

Preventing Bed Bug Issues

Bed bugs can take over anyone’s room quite easily, but there are a few ways that you can reduce your chances of finding them in yours. Here’s how to create a less welcoming environment for bed bugs in your home:

• Use a protective layer on your mattress and box spring.
• Vacuum your home regularly and take care of any excess clutter that builds up.
• When staying somewhere new overnight, try to hang up any bags and belongings instead of leaving them on the floor.
• If you wash your clothes at the laundromat, use sealed bags to transport your clothes

As you can see, maintaining cleanliness and organization in your life will make you less likely to experience a bed bug infestation, but sometimes the bed bugs are just too sneaky for you to catch.

How Can I Control a Bed Bug Infestation?

Noticing zig-zag lines of red bumps on exposed skin in the morning is a sure sign of a bed bug infestation. Fortunately, you shouldn’t have to throw out any belongings that you believe to be infested. When you hire your local pest control experts for bed bug control, they can use heat treatments and other professional exclusion efforts to ensure that all of the bed bugs in your home are eliminated. Contact us today for a free estimate on bed bug control or to learn more about our esteemed heat treatment solutions!